B. USABLE EVIDENCE

1. Masonic Lodge

a. Arkansas

Written request is preferred. Furnish claimant's name and the name and/or number of
the lodge of which he is or was a member. There is no charge for records. Some records
date back to 1880's. Complete records from 1919 on are available but not all have
age or date of birth until 1936.

b. Louisiana

Written request required with consent. Furnish name of claimant and lodge name/number.
Records complete for entire State back to 1867. Some records are available back to
1812. Must be a member of a lodge that is under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge
of the State of Louisiana.

c. New Mexico

Written request or contact in person only. There is no charge for records. Furnish
name of claimant. Records are available back to 1877, but age or date of birth shown
only from 1947 on. All records would prove at least age 21 at time of petitioning
for membership.

d. Oklahoma

Written requests, in person requests, or fax requests (405-282-3244) accepted. Furnish
full name of claimant. There is no charge for records. Records are complete for the
entire State back to 1874 although age or DOB will not always be shown. Member requirements
were for person to be 21 until about 10 years ago when the age requirement was lowered
to age 19.

e. Texas

Contact by letter or in person only. There is no charge for records. Furnish name
of claimant and name of town in which he first petitioned for membership. Records
are complete for entire State back to 1930. Some records are available back to 1837.
Original application also retained by local lodge where first applied for membership.

2. Texas Prison Records

Records for all 85 Texas prison units are maintained in three different locations
in Huntsville, Texas. (Exception: State Jail and Substance Abuse Facility inmate records
are maintained at the respective units.) The prison inmate is usually assigned a different
inmate number upon each entry into the prison system. The name shown on the prison
record is the name used when arrested and convicted and is not necessarily the inmate's
legal name. Records of prior commitments are maintained in the folder established
in the most recent admission. All requests for evidence from the prison records should
be made through the parallel office (DOC: A74, Conroe TX) on an SSA- 562 or by fax.
Requests to certify prison records should indicate:

a.

Name used at time of arrest as well as any aliases used;

b.

Date of last admission, if known;

c.

Inmate number. If unknown, furnish the county where the inmate was convicted along
with the date of birth. This information helps to differentiate the inmate from those
with similar names. The inmate should have the release papers which would show the
inmate number;

d.

Whether the inmate is active (i.e., currently in prison) or inactive. If inactive,
show if discharged or released on parole as these records are maintained separately;

e.

If deceased, show if death occurred while in prison or after release; and

3. Evidence of Age – Texas Drivers License

If the Texas drivers license record is needed for an age determination, download the
Texas DR-1 form (Application for Copy of Driver Record) from the State site at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/driver_licensing_control/dlindex.htm then clicking on “Downloadable Forms.” Show SSA in the “requestor's name” since SSA
as a federal agency is considered exempt from any charge. Send the request direct
to the State address on the form. Do not send to the parallel office.